Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow
PVN ID: HC-2508-006959
Category: Postdoctoral
Location: HUNTER COLLEGE

Job Description

General Description

The Research Foundation of the City University of New York (RF CUNY) invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Jessica Rothman’s Wildlife Ecology and Nutrition laboratory at Hunter College as part of a NASA funded project entitled “Mega impacts of Megaherbivores: unraveling the role of rhino restoration in fire-savannah dynamics”. The successful candidate will conduct field research related to rhino reintroductions in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uganda in line with grant activities, as well as use existing data. The position is expected to last for 3 years as per the grant award, but is initially funded for 6 months.

Other Duties

  • Liaise with management authorities across field sites in South Africa (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park - HiP), Uganda (Ajai Wildlife Reserve – Ajai WR) and Zimbabwe (Gonarezhou National Park – Gonarezhou NP) for technical and logistical support.
  • Develop data collection protocols and lead fieldwork at HiP, Ajai WR and Gonarezhou NP - specifically relating to herbaceous species identification and Disk Pasture Meter (DPM) measurements for biomass estimates of the herbaceous layer.
  • Collect and analyse 1) fine-scale GPS measurements of rhino movements and 2) fine-scale information on herbaceous biomass consumption by rhinos in Ajai WR and Gonarezhou NP.
  • Combine previously collected datasets with new data on vegetation composition and link with rhino space use and fire dynamics in HiP, Ajai WR and Gonarhezou NP.
  • Build models to predict herbaceous vegetation biomass across filed sites using field data and remote sensing tools and relate these to differences in rhino densities and fire dynamics.
  • Conduct experimental fire burns in collaboration with park managers to explore the impacts of rhinos (via biomass consumption) on fire dynamics (e.g., burn intensity and heterogeneity).
  • Track landscape-scale fire patterns and indices over time using various remote sensing tools and combine with rhino space use.
  • Write up all results for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present annually at NASA biodiversity conference.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • PhD research on large mammal ecology, preferably in Africa
  • At least 1 year conducting research at remote field sites, preferably in African savannahs
  • Quantitative skills and experience using R programming
  • A willingess to work under harsh field conditions in remote locations

 

RFCUNY Benefits

RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

About the Research Foundation

The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.

RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post-award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub-awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub-awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Key Features

Department
Anthropology
Status
Full Time
Annual Salary Range
$75,000.00 - $75,000.00
Closing Date
Oct 10, 2025 (Or Until Filled)
Bargaining Unit
No

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